Should i have a condo inspected

Or drywall. Either way, inspecting walls, ceilings, and floors is most important when it comes to condo inspections, since these areas are often shared with neighbors or common spaces in a building. Make sure to check for water damage as well. The HVAC is typically the highest-priced item to repair. And if it goes out, a hefty assessment could be handed down to the building homeowners — including you.

Most buildings with more than two stories will have an elevator. Your condo fees pay for maintenance and repairs to common elements of the property like the roof, amenities, and landscaping.

After all, if your bathtub or sink develops a major leak, replacing damaged hardwood floors could cost thousands of dollars. The unit above yours is especially important to consider. A home inspector can check for signs that something is going on upstairs, like evidence of moisture or leaks that may affect your unit. Make sure to get a thorough inspection of all major appliances.

Fires can spread quickly in a condo, and not all fire hazards are obvious. Closet lights: They need globes. More here: Exposed light bulbs in closets. Water damage: While we typically don't inspect the exteriors and common areas of condos, we do typically look at individual balconies. At this particular balcony at an old condo in Minneapolis, there was damaged stucco at the balcony, allowing water to leak into the building wall.

This next image shows the same condo, which had water stains at the ceiling and door below the balcony. Furnace defects: We find pretty much the same defects on condos that we find on single family homes. This includes lack of maintenance, end of life and other problems such as excessive temperature rise. The photo below shows the supply air at degrees.

Assuming it's about 70 degrees in the unit, this would be a temperature rise of 95 degrees. Most furnace manufacturers call for a temperature rise of somewhere in the 30 to degree range. Water heater: The defects are also the same as those found on single family homes. This particular water heater had a loose flame roll-out shield, which was allowing exhaust gasses to escape out the front of the water heater, which is what caused the scorching on the front of the unit.

Plastic dryer ducts are a fire hazard. We find a fair number of them while inspecting condos. More here: dryer duct safety. Short ductwork at toekicks happens at condos too.

More on that topic here: The case of the duct that wasn't there. Anti-Tip Bracket - still in the bag. This is an important child safety item. More here: anti-tip brackets for ranges. Leaking outlet - insert your own caption. This was at a high-rise condo building with major stucco problems at the exterior. Fogged glass at windows - who pays for this, the owner or the association? If it's the association, what does it take to get this fixed? More here: fogged glass at windows. Dishwasher drain - this one lacks a proper high loop under the sink.

If you go by the new plumbing code, it would be missing an air gap above the sink. More here: dishwasher drains. Gas appliance connectors aren't supposed to be connected end-to-end. An appliance connector is supposed to be used to connect the gas piping to the appliance. More here: gas appliance connectors.

Similar to hiring a Realtor, you might consider interviewing a few inspectors before choosing one. An inspector might carry one or both of the following licenses:. In addition to licensing, a history in construction is a good perk. Inspectors with in-depth knowledge of building and construction have helpful insight in identifying and solving problems.

There are many areas reviewed during a condo inspection. Often Realtors who specialize in condos , as part of their service offering, will review and interpret the depreciation report on your behalf.

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